What happens at a Children's Hearing court case

A Children's Hearing court case happens when a decision can't be made at a Children's Hearing, because:

the child/young person or their parents/carers don't agree on why the Children's Hearing is taking place (the 'statement of grounds')

the child/young person or their parents/carers don't understand the reasons for the Children's Hearing (perhaps because the reasons are complicated)

At a Children's Hearing, a 'statement of grounds' (the reasons for a child being at the Children's Hearing) is read out. Children or their parents or carers have to say whether they think the reasons are correct or not.

The case will be sent to the sheriff court so the sheriff can decide what happens next.

People in the courtroom

The sheriff

The sheriff is in charge of all court proceedings and is an expert in the law. They'll make sure everything is done fairly within the law and that court rules and legal proceedings are followed. They also have a duty to protect the interests of all people involved in the case, including witnesses.

The Children's Reporter

They present Children's Hearing court cases and ask questions so all witnesses can give their evidence. They look after the child's interests, but they don't represent the child.

The safeguarder

This is an independent person who may be appointed to look after a child's interests. They'll sometimes be at a Children's Hearing court case and will try to represent the best interests for the child.

Other people directly involved in the proceedings

This may be the child, family or other relevant people directly involved in the child's case.

Other lawyers

There may be other lawyers in the courtroom on behalf of other people directly involved in the child's case. They may ask questions about a witness's evidence.